Neymar

Young Brazilian superstar Neymar will be a focal point of the 2014 World Cup, the former Santos hero continuing his playmaking and goal-scoring regime at Barcelona as a future rival to team-mate Lionel Messi’s mantle. Making his debut in the prestigious tournament, Neymar will carry short World Cup betting odds to score during individual matches, but will be a popular choice for top scorer and player of the tournament with his silky trickery and scoring abilities.

Expected to be a pivotal part of tournament favourites Brazil’s World Cup prospects, the youngster – who turns 22 in February – has already scored 27 goals from just 46 appearances with his country since receiving his first caps in 2010.

At the age of 19, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, known for his fearsome acceleration, speed, dribbling, finishing and ability with both feet that have seen him become a star for home club Santos, now joining the elite at Barcelona.

Neymar has already scored six goals from just 16 starts with the Spanish giants, having previously netted an enviable 54 times in 103 appearances for Santos, and will be a major player for the side’s tournament homecoming having spent the previous five months playing alongside the likes of Messi in La Liga.

Neymar World Cup Betting Tips

Winner of the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year in 2011, Neymar’s goal scoring abilities see him in the top three of the overall top scorer betting markets across the bookmakers. He’ll be shorts odds to score any time in individual match betting and it might be a better option to try for bigger odds in first or last goalscorer markets.

The versatile winger and forward looks to link up with fellow in-form team-mates Oscar, Hulk and Fred in a Brazil squad tipped to go all the way in 2014, Neymar one who could figure highly for Player of the tournament.

Neymar starred in Brazil's comeback in the opening game against Croatia with two goals. After the hosts played out a goal less draw with Mexico in the next game, Neymar struck again with two more goals in the 4-1 victory over Cameroon which allowed Brazil to finish as Group A winners. Neymar completed the Group phase with four goals from three appearances, but could not add to his tally against Chile despite coolly slotting home a penalty in the shootout.

Disaster struck in the quarter-final match against Colombia, Brazil won the match 2-1 but it marked the end of Neymar's participation in the World Cup when he fractured a bone in his spine. Neymar would be unable to add to his four goal tally and with James Rodriguez leading the way, World Cup top goalscorer was beyond the Brazilian's powers.